Well, We have put two different Delco power steering pumps in and my car is still broken. This sucks. I have only had this car a couple of months and I haven't driven it in about 3 weeks.

I am really just venting, but maybe someone out there has seen this before and has an idea.

My car:
05 all stock except muffler delete and tint
57k

What happened:
I was attempting some spirited driving, aka donuts in the parking lot, but the wheel hop was so bad I didn't get anything out of it.
I had the wheel cranked all the way to the drivers side, and had the RPM up high.
As soon as I came out of the turn and went to turn it the opposite way the power steering gave out. Meaning, it was nearly impossible to turn and made a squeeling noise typical of pwr steer pump.

I pulled right over and called my mechanic (who is a GM mechanic who has his own shop). After consulting with him, I figured I would try and drive it home. To my amazement it drove home fine...
...until I pulled in my driveway where it was almost impossible to turn.

The next day, I drove it to my mech. shop and we figured out that at low RPM, the wheel turns fine (even at idle)-still noisy, but turns fine if I bring it up to 3k rpm or so.

But at low rpm/idle the wheel is very tough to move.

So...

We ordered a new pwr steer pump and installed it.

The fluid looked really clean, but it smelled burnt right after the problem occurred and still had the smell (before the new pump was installed).

Put the new pump in, at low rpm in idle, wheel turns great, take it out for a drive and before he comes around the block (after getting on it a bit) the wheel tightens up but no squealing...

...so, we order a new pump, install it, everything seems fine, and he drives about 3 miles like gramma would drive it, and no problem, then he gets on it to open her up and BAM! the same problem again! WTF?!?!?!?!?

The original pump looked okay, and the fluid was clean, nothing out of the ordinary.

He flushed the hoses before fully installing the second pump, also just to check for clogs.

We are at our wits end here.

Anyone had this problem? Heard of it? I am going to call the Caddy dealer tomorrow to check with the guys thereand pick their brains...

I am sooooo frustrated right now you can't imagine!

Thanks in advance for any help, insight, (beer) you may offer!

:I miss my car! ;(:

heavymetals

05-06-09, 04:48 AM

I think your going to be dropping the steering rack for some R&R.

ctsv154

05-06-09, 05:58 AM

I think your going to be dropping the steering rack for some R&R.

:werd:

mpunklil

05-06-09, 08:44 AM

might as well add a cooler while you're at it :) check for an aftermarket pump...i dont know who makes one cuz i havent researched it yet, but im sure any ls based pump will work

V for Vendetta

05-07-09, 01:51 AM

Anyone have any idea what a rack is gonna cost me?

V for Vendetta

05-07-09, 01:56 AM

Is the V rack the same as the base CTS? This is probably a stupid question since NOTHING else in the drive train is the same, but figured I would ask any way. Hey, I'm an AUDIO guy.

heavymetals

05-07-09, 02:25 AM

I think you should be able to drop it and have it rebuilt.

You probably gunked it up by pumping it full of burnt fluid and then dry (?).

nuyorkah

05-07-09, 05:27 PM

Is the V rack the same as the base CTS? This is probably a stupid question since NOTHING else in the drive train is the same, but figured I would ask any way. Hey, I'm an AUDIO guy.

Rack is specific to the V in parts catalog. Also use a new GM p/s pump not
A/C Delco remans. I have seen many failures with the remans on other GM cars. Also new is cheaper. :D